Ozzy Osbourne to play Gibson in February

All good Ozzaholics are already aware, but in case you're just coming out of a Black Sabbath-induced coma, know this: the Prince of Darkness, fresh from his Ozzfest appearance in August, is preparing to play one of his smallest shows in years.

While the rest of the country is getting arena dates from Ozzy Osbourne, Southern California (and Phoenix, if you're traveling) are getting mid-size stops: Feb. 1 at Gibson Amphitheatre, to be exact. It isn't the absolute tiniest place he's played in recent years: he played a set at House of Blues Sunset Strip not too long ago. But I bet you didn't get in.

Don't expect tickets for this more public performance to last; take away the music biz's usual allotment and batches for KLOS to give away and, well, good seats are gonna go quick. Good luck when they go on sale Friday, Oct. 15, at 10 a.m., $52 to 106.25, including fees. Upping its value: Slash opens.

And while we're talking metal: Halford -- as in Rob, Judas Priest frontman, who is opening for Ozzy on many of his remaining 2010 dates -- will turn up at the Wiltern on Dec. 17, with Warbringer and PHILM (featuring Dave Lombardo of Slayer) opening. Tickets, $28.50-$62.45, including fees, also go on sale Friday at 10 a.m. Also at the Wiltern: Symphony X, May 10, $44.70-$55.10, on sale Oct. 23 at 10 a.m.

And before we leave Gibson entirely, a note that comedian Daniel Tosh will appear there Dec. 4, also on sale Friday at 10 a.m. Price: $52, including fees.

Stevie Wonder is gearing up for his 15th annual House Full of Toys benefit concert, returning to Nokia Theatre on Dec. 18. No word yet about who his guest stars will be, but they're very often A-list. Tickets, $55-$149.50, are on sale Friday at 10 a.m.

Meanwhile, that same night across the L.A. Live plaza, the great L.A. band Ozomatli will celebrate its 15th anniversary with a show at Club Nokia. Those tickets, $23 in advance, $27.50 day of show, $40.50 for VIP, are also on sale Friday at 10 a.m.

One other Club Nokia addition on sale at that time: Fantasia brings her Back to Me Tour to the venue on Nov. 24, with Eric Benet & Kandi opening. Tickets are $39.50-$75.

Where does the time go? It's already been 10 years since House of Blues Anaheim opened, with a Jan. 12, 2001 performance from Lit. (Actually, they played two nights there to kick it off.) To celebrate, the venue will have a Ten Year Anniversary Series of shows, leading with Styx on Jan. 20 ($65-$97.50), followed by the Wailers on Jan. 21 ($23-$62.50), Rx Bandits on Jan. 22 ($15-$37.50), Motörhead on Jan. 25 ($27.50-$62.50) and Reel Big Fish on Jan. 26 ($21-$42.50). All of those go on sale Friday at 10 a.m.

Also at the Mouse House: local favorite Matt Costa, whose sharp and self-produced third album Mobile Chateau just dropped, will headline on Nov. 24, $17.50-$40 ... Masters of Reality, the domain of guitarist, singer and producer Chris Goss, will return Nov. 10, $17.50-$40 ... Guadalajaran synth-pop outfit Belanova performs Nov. 18, $37.50-$67.50 ... and Rebelution will top a New Year's Eve show, $42.50-$97.50. All of those are on sale Friday at 10 a.m., except for Masters of Reality, which goes on sale the day before.

Two of those attractions repeat at House of Blues Sunset Strip: Masters of Reality on Nov. 12, $17.50, and Belanova on Nov. 21, $45.50. Also at that club: Ruben Albarran of Cafe Tacuba, in a new solo project called Hoppo!, Nov. 2, $20 ... and the Steelwells, the Workday Release, Stereofix and more, Nov. 10, $7.50.

Cold War Kids, who just keep getting better every time they tour, have readied their third album, Mine Is Yours, for a Jan. 25 release -- and to preview it the locally begun group has announced a fall-into-winter tour that starts Nov. 5 at the Glass House in Pomona. Tickets, $20, are on sale Friday at 10 a.m.

Also coming to the venue: Tim & Eric Awesome Tour, Great Job! plays Oct. 27, $18 in advance, $20 at the door ... and People Under the Stairs perform Nov. 19, $15.

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